Police eventually ordered the rival groups to go home after the protest passed its set time limit.

Water cannons were brought out to try and force the crowds out of the streets.

On Twitter, police said: "Our units were at times forced to use direct force.

"We repeat our call, continue to refrain from violence."

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PROTEST: Thousands of far-right demonstrators marched on the streets of Germany

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ANGER: Marchers say they were protesting the murder of Daniel Hillig last week by two migrants

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FIGHTS: Police clashed with far-right demonstrators

Many of the far-right supporters came from the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, and the anti-Islam Populist Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (PEGIDA) movement, according to police.

Far-right marchers held portraits of people who they say are victims of attacks from asylum seekers.

They also wore dark suits and held white roses, as part of what they called a "mourning march".

Many waved German flags while chanting "Merkel must go" and "We are the people".